Author Archives: Steve Simms

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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences in non-traditional church, called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia." If you need encouragement, search for: Elephants Encouraging The Room and/or check out my Amazon author page. Thank you!

Are You Ready For Some Bordom Bustin’ In 2013?

Begin 2013 by busting out of your boredom box; rerouting the routine of your rut; surpassing the same ole, same ole! Do something new and different for the kingdom of God today. No need to repeat what isn’t working. Step … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, biblical, Biblical concept, bored in church, boredom, Catherine Booth, cross, crucified with Christ, crucify yourself, deny yourself, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, kingdom of God, obedience is better than sacrifice, salvation, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual fire, spiritual walk, spiritual warfare, supernatural, The Salvation Army, the world for God, theology, truth, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Christmas Eve Eve — The Night Before The Day Before The Fiscal Cliff

“‘Twas the night before Christmas . . .”  — those are famous words, but what about the night before the day before Christmas?  Christmas Eve eve is seldom mentioned or thought about.  It’s just another holiday shopping day. However, on … Continue reading →

Posted in 'Twas the night before Christmas, Christ, Christ in you, Christian history, Christianity, Christmas Eve, Christmas gifts, Christmas shopping, Christmas shopping season, Christmas traditions, Christmas travel, church history, contemplation, God with us, holiday, holidays, little town of Bethlehem, Nazareth, new birth, Paul of Tarsus, presence of Christ, presence of God, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, self-denial, self-destruction, shopping, spiritual formation, submission, surrender, surrender to God, tradition, travel, virgin birth, virgin Mary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Christmas Drug — The High Hopes Of Holiday Hype

Year after year humans have high hopes for the Christmas holidays, but their humongous hopes are often hijacked and held hostage by holiday hype.  The Christmas drug of hyped up holidays just doesn’t seem to be able to live up … Continue reading →

Posted in 24/7/365, Christ, Christianity, Christmas gifts, Christmas shopping, Christmas shopping season, Christmas traditions, contentment, culture, customs, Emmanuel, family gathering, family togetherness, glory days, God, God on the loose, God with us, high hopes, His story, holiday hype, holidays, hope, human psyche, humility, hype, peace, peace of mind, reason, Reason For The Season, seasonal, tradition | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

A Christ*mas Thought (Should’ Christ’s Views Be In Christmas?)

A Christ*mas Observation . . . *Jesus commanded: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” *Our culture demands: “Gratify yourself, medicate your cross, and follow your feelings, cravings, and compulsions.” –Which will produce a healthy society? fulfillment *Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, celebration, celebrations, Christ, Christmas shopping, Christmas shopping season, Christmas traditions, cultural taboos, culture, current condition, current events, customs, deny yourself, depravity, drugs, Happy Holidays, holiday, holidays, Jesus, Jesus Christ, materialism, popular culture, religion, self-focus, selfish desires, sex, thoughts, tradition | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Radical (Back To The Roots) Church Is . . .

Church is a living message: *Christ alive from the dead; * actually present with us when we gather in His name; * personally directing the meeting and leading various people to share testimonies, gifts of the Spirit, Scriptures, prayers, etc. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, alternative church, alternative lifestyle, Emmanuel, faith, faith-based, family gathering, God with us, healing, intimacy, kingdom of God, National Football League, NFL, NFL Playoffs, recovery, religion, religious ceremonies, religious innovation, religious tradition, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Scriptures, sermons, simple church, sold out, spiritual healing, surrender, surrender to God, unprogrammed church, What is church?, When you come together, witness | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

iChurch or GChurch?

iChurch or GChurch? iChurch is self-focused. Does it meet my needs? Does it make me happy? iChurch is controlled by human leaders, programs and agendas. GChurch is focused on God. Is the attention on God? Is God, Himself, in charge? … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, church, iChurch, innovation, The Salvation Flag | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Steve Jobs Of Religion? — Come On Church, Innovate!

An Eric Weiner quotation from the Op-Ed page of The New York Times, December, 2011: “We need a Steve Jobs of religion. Someone (or ones) who can invent not a new religion but, rather, a new way of being religious. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Apple Computer, being religious, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, biblical, Biblical concept, Catherine Booth, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christian organizations, church, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, creativity, East Nashville, environment, freedom, Holy Spirit, humility, improv, improvisation, insight, interactive, intuitive, Mr. Job's, Music City, non-church, open church, operating system, organic church, participatory church, questions, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religious innovation, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, speak the truth in love, spiritual innovation, straight forward, support group, unencumbered, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Views of Violence

If certain foreign nations and their leaders can be called evil (Axis of Evil, Evil Empire, etc.) and foreign terrorists and/or suicide bombers can be called evil, why aren’t America’s home-grown terrorists and mass murderers called evil? Why aren’t all … Continue reading →

Posted in Axis of Evil, Evil Empire, foreign terrorists, home grown, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love your enemies, medicine, persecution, pre-natal, prenatal, prenatal medicine, Quotations, quote, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Amazing Anointing of An Agendaless Assembly

There is an amazing anointing on an agendaless assembly.  It’s the very presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ, Himself.  The First Century Church knew this, not as a doctrine, but as a powerful reality every time they met together … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, agendaless, alternative church, assembly, church, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, disciple making, discipling, First Century Church, Matthew 18:20, religion, religious ceremonies, religious tradition, revival, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Western religion, Western world, What is church?, When you come together, worship | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The horrendously evil slaughter of innocents in Newtown, Connecticut, shows that something is dreadfully wrong with America. Lord, have mercy on us.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment